Yesterday, news began to spread that the spending 'cut' deal negotiated by John Boehner doesn't actually cut spending—not even discretionary spending. The news gives conservatives, who had already begun bailing on the deal, yet another reason to oppose it. Even National Review is urging a no vote.
And now John Boehner has reacted to the brewing controversy, on Twitter:
His point? The cuts actually are cuts to budgetary authority. That's true. But spending isn't measured by budgetary authority. Spending is measured by, well, spending. And because they cut budgetary authority in spending accounts that weren't being fully spent, they didn't actually cut spending. That's actually a good thing for the economy, but it sure isn't what Boehner has been selling to the tea partiers. He told them he cut spending, not budgetary authority. And he's going to have a helluva' time convincing them that they are "real cuts" when spending—even discretionary spending—is growing by $15.7 billion over FY2010 levels.
One of two things happens here. Either the GOP walks the plank and votes for a spending 'cut' deal that doesn't really cut spending, or enough of them vote against the deal that Boehner needs to turn to Nancy Pelosi in order to get the votes to avert a government shutdown. Either way, when it's all done, there are going to be tears in John Boehner's eyes.